I'm supposed to tell you guys some pointless a/n but I don't really know what to say. (: -- Kiwi

Snowy – Sorry for the wait for this chapter. School slows everything down -.-

XxX

Yumi sighed, checking over her bags one more time, trying to convince her anxious mind that she had everything and had no need to worry about forgetting anything.

Ding-dong

The doorbell? Who could it be? Riku knew she would be leaving for the airport soon, and after their last little spat he wouldn't exactly come running to say a last minute goodbye.

"William?" Yumi exclaimed in surprise as she opened the door to find the tall boy standing on her doorstep.

"Hey Yumi." William smiled, "Can I come in?"

"Uh, yea sure," Yumi stuttered, "But I'm leaving soon for the airport."

"I know," William said, "I wanted to see you before you left."

"Ok…" Yumi said slowly, following him into the living room.

"I know it's unannounced, but I really wanted to see you, you've been avoiding me." William said, looking almost sheepish. Almost.

"Yea," Yumi muttered, looking at her shoes. Big and black and looking a little worn.

"I really like you." William said.

"Yea," Yumi said with a smile, meeting his glimmering eyes, "I figured that out."

XxX

The still half-asleep gym teacher walked down the boys hallway, a bag lazily slung over his shoulder. He almost ran into his most favorite and the star of his soccer team.

"Good morning, Jim." Ulrich greeted, holding his hand out, "Mail for me?"

Jim groaned, this kid was pretty nice on the soccer, but in the morning, he was annoying. Always up, ready for a letter every other day. He stretched and looked in his bag for a letter for Stern.

"Sorry, Stern. There aren't any for today."

Ulrich, taken by surprised, had stuttered, "Uh—Oh." He backed a little from his gym teacher, "Thanks anyway, Jim!" He stalked back to his dorm, where Odd was getting dressed, "Oh god—Are those my boxers?"

Odd pulled up his purple pants, turned, and grinned, "It says 'Stern' on the tag."

Ulrich gargled a sound of disgust.

"Wait, no love letter from the lady in Japan?" Odd mocked, "And I thought you did your math and everything!"

"I'm curious about where she's going. She said she'd be coming to France, but it's such a big country, she could be staying anywhere." Ulrich replied slowly, "And knowing you, you'd be delighted to see her, I've noticed you've copied my photo of her." Ulrich slid his hand under Odd's mattress, and took out a couple photos, "Four times."

Odd shrugged, "So what? She's pretty! Theo wanted one. So I'm giving him one—maybe Jeremie."

Ulrich shook his head, "Odd- you're just so…"

"So amazingly lovable?" Odd finished his friend's sentence with an innocent grin.

"So obnoxious." Ulrich huffed.

XxX

A door closed noisily and footsteps clomped tiredly into the main room.

"Yumi?" Takeo asked, uncertain at first, until he saw the dark-haired head of a boy who was not his son, "Who is he?" Roared Mr. Ishiyama.

"Daddy!" Yumi squeaked, "It's alright, it's only William."

William, Takeo thought, his mind seethed as he remembered the boy.

"You should be at the airport by now." Takeo stated sternly, "And William shouldn't be here."

Realization flashed in Yumi's eyes, mixed with panic.

"Oh no!" She yelped, leaping over the back of the couch and racing to get her suitcase and duffel.

"You have a wonderful daughter Mr. Ishiyama." William said cheerfully as he headed for the door.

Takeo followed William, still simmering. He held the door open for the boy.

"You stay away from her Mr. Dunbar," Takeo hissed, "If I catch you with her again, there will be consequences."

With that, he slammed the door shut in William's face, just as Yumi galloped into the main room, luggage in tow.

"Go get in the car, I'll take you to the airport." Takeo said, taking his daughter's bags from her.

"Thanks Daddy." Yumi smiled.

As father and daughter ran out to the car, William quickly sprinted after them.

"Please," He stated, with a gleam in his eye, "Let me go with you. I'll help you unpack the car and all."

"No, son. I think it's okay." Mr. Ishiyama retorted- clearly fed up with this boy.

William sneered quietly, and then added, "Please, sir. It's the least I can do after making Yumi late for her plane."

"Dad, we're really just wasting time fighting with him." Yumi pointed out.

Her father sighed, "Get in the car."

XxX

"Dude, seriously." Ulrich had left for a walk around the park, Odd told his friend he was sulking because Ulrich thinks Yumi's found something better to do.

….Or found a better boy to write to.

"Aww, well, Ulrich did seem pretty attached to her and her letters. It gave him something to do more than his homework." Aelita answered, Jeremie nodded, Odd made a hand-gesture like "Whatever", and Theo was just kinda there.

"I swear, in his sleep," Odd continued, "he rolls around all 'Yumi, I love you. I do, I do. I love you. Stay in France with me. I love you, Yumi! I really do !'" He mimicked what he thought of Ulrich, as he swayed back and forth.

Theo finally said something, "How can you love someone you've never met?"

Odd shrugged, "This Yumi girl? She's been talking to him about everything, and vise versa. I think she knows more about Mr. Stern then we do."

Aelita giggled, "Preposterous." When Odd gave her a look, she stated, "It means Nonsense." He smiled and waited for her to continue, "I'm sure pen pals get close after talking for such a long time. Besides, I'm sure Ulrich is interested in her culture as much as Yumi is in his."

"What does the Japanese care about the French?" Theo stated, "I mean, seriously. People want to go to France because it seems so romantic and that crud. I would rather go to Japan."

"Well, Theo. Tell me," Jeremie started, sitting cross-legged on the floor with his laptop, "When you live in Japan, where else do you go?"

"I see your point."

Aelita grinned, "I've always wanted to go to America."

"A-America? Why?"

She shrugged, "It looks nice."

"Like, where in America?" Odd asked.

"I'm not sure. What's that one state that's an island? All by itself."

"Hi-weak-kee?" Theo suggested.

"No, I'm not quite sure that's it." Aelita answered, "Starts with an H though, I remember that."

Odd hopped up, "I know what you're talking about! Hi-why-kee?"

The door opened, and Ulrich jumped, "Hey everyone. I didn't know we were having a group meeting in my dorm."

"ULRICH!" Odd screamed, "What's that state in America that's an island all by it self? Like, completely disconnected from the USA?"

The brunet looked at Jeremie, "Can't you answer this?"

Jeremie fixed his glasses, smiled, and said, "I'll let you have your moment."

"Hawaii." Ulrich answered, "It's Hawaii. I went there last summer with my parents. It's very pretty. Why?"

"Hawaii!" Aelita sounded out, "That's it!"

Odd crossed his arms and sat back on the bed, "Ulrich cheated."

XxX

The tension in the air inside the car crackled as they pulled up to the airport entrance.

"Thanks for driving me here Daddy." Yumi said, hopping out of the car and going to get her luggage.

William hopped out of the car, "Let me help you."

"You've helped enough." Takeo growled, joining the teens by the open trunk.

"I can manage from here." Yumi reassured the males, "I'll see you guys when I get back."

"Bye Yumi." William said, "Send a postcard or something."

"Bye Yumi," Takeo said, giving her a hug, "Be good, don't cause trouble, and use your head."

"I will," Yumi said, "I'll be careful, but I'd better go before I miss my plane."

"Your mother will be looking for you," Takeo said.

"Bye!" Yumi called, grabbing her bags and going towards the door.

"I'll uh, call my dad to come pick me up then." William stuttered as Yumi disappeared into the airport.

"Oh no you won't." Takeo said sternly, "You're coming with me, get in."

"Yes sir." William nodded, looking slightly nervous as he slipped into the back seat of the car.

Takeo gave the younger boy a smile, "No, no. Passenger's side, buddy. We're going to have a nice long talk."

William let out a small groan.

XxX

And that's were it ends for this chapter folks!